Dear Editor

Dear Editor: Gun Politics in the United States is among the most controversial and troublesome issues in American politics. Both pro-gun ownership and the opposing sides have very valid reasons for making their particular stands but the heart of the matter lies on that fact that people are getting killed or killing someone with guns. Richard Hofstadler popularized the term gun culture in his article Arerica as a Gun Culture. He uses it to refer to the Americans long-standing fascination and fondness for the gun. It seems that this particular American proclivity to guns is quite in meshed within the American heritage (Spitzer).

The symbol of guns has always been of power and control; in our country, it is frequently tied up to independence, freedom, respect, and even patriotism. The origins of American gun culture can be traced back to the survival-protection philosophy and the hunting/sporting culture of the country’s early history which up to now is still part of our society. It is a prominent part of the contemporary U.S.

popular culture, often times appearing in movies, television, music, books, and magazines (Koppel).

It would be very difficult to eradicate this engrained culture from the consciousness of the American public yet with all the increasing crime rates as well as accidents that involved reckless and irresponsible gun handling, it has become crucial and indispensable for gun ownership to be closely monitored and regulated. The argument is not to ban guns from the American public but rather to direct and supervise its use. A community where guns are leading lifestyle accessories can be pointlessly exposed to impertinent and oftentimes quite fatal incidents. The like of which will be the use of gun to commit suicide. Statistical researches found out that 53.7% of all suicides committed in the United States in 2003 accounts for using firearms as the method of suicide.

... to explain why there isn’t one American culture. It is also clear that American culture has changed through the years. Most importantly ... that many religious changes have brought about changes in the American culture. In the early part of the twentieth century, the ... singling out innocent gun owners, he was called an anti-Semite. These are just a few examples of how Americans are being ...

There will also be the chance that a child living in a home with guns will be out in the open to the possibility of playing and accidentally firing the gun. The probability of horrendous consequences because of guns in the home is quite great. If guns are accessible to anyone, there is an almost 100% chance of someone inefficient, inept and reckless getting hold of a firearm and using it as he deemed worthy. Take the case of the recent Omaha Mall massacre perpetuated by a young and highly disturbed 19-year old man who just wanted to die famous. The combination of a mentally unbalanced and disturbed person and a gun is quite explosive. This has been proven time and time again. And lastly if anyone can buy a gun (including those military-style firearms that are otherwise known as assault weapons) as if buying some power tools, the most likely scenario would be that of ruthless people buying these kind of weapons to be used for criminal activities.

The Columbine high school massacre in April 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 14 students (including the two gunmen) and a teacher, is a factual and existent example of the need to ban the sale of assault weapons to private individuals or group. Normal, ordinary American will never spend money on something as expensive as these kinds when their particular need is just for simple protection and/or sports. There should be a more explicit move from the different sectors of our community to curb abuses in the use of guns. Measures intended to curb gun-related violence, such as mandatory child safety locks, background checks on those wishing to purchase a gun, limits on the number of guns a person can buy including the prohibition of high caliber assault weapons and raising the age limit for gun ownership will be an adequate restrain on firearm violence. The measures might not be able to eradicate the problem (especially that there are other factors affecting it) but it can help calm down and pacify the otherwise peace-loving people of America. The key issue to the disagreement of gun rights and gun control advocates is centered on the understanding and interpretation of the Amendment to the Constitution, which reads as follows: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” The supporters of gun rights look at it as the charter enshrining an individual right to own any firearm with no constraint from any establishment; while the advocates of gun control see it as referring to a right of the people to arm themselves only when bonded together for communal defense. This particular part of the issue is the espousal that backs up the move by gun rights groups, led by the National Rifle Association.

... one more school shooting to move us from people who support for gun control to people who actually vote for it.Perhaps it will ... by having their 18-year-old friend Robyn Anderson buy the firearm and while buying them, he also picked up two shotguns and ... .3. Child safety locks. A prohibition on the possession assault weapons by minors. A ban on importation of large-capacity ammunition ...

On the other hand, this also breaks down the gun control advocates attempts and efforts to regulate firearm use. The National Rifle Association conducted a poll and found that 89% of Americans believe they have a right to own a gun. But this does not necessarily means that public opinion and perception can override the true meaning of the constitution. Creating measures to supervise gun use can never infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens, as the NRA implies. Works Cited Hardy, David T. The origins and Development of the Second Amendment(1986), Blacksmith Corp., Chino Valley, Arizona, pp.64-93. Kopel, David B. The Samurai, the Mountie, and the Cowboy–Should America Adopt the Gun Controls of Other Democracies? (1992), Prometheus Books, New York, pp.313-351.

... ar facing, and what ls could b don to improv gun control. Gun control sms to b a nvr-nding dbat in th Unitd ... of a British campaign for more gun control (Guns: 1). In addition to the calling for more gun control, Prime Minister Tony Blair has been ... times In the United States. The first change in gun control policy was The Gun Control Act of 1968. This act essentially replaced the ...

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